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German cybersecurity agency launches research program to combat disinformation in virtual reality
The German Agency for Innovation in Cybersecurity (Cyberagentur) has announced a new initiative to address the growing threat of disinformation in virtual environments. On April 29, 2026, the agency published a call for proposals for its “Research Platform for Investigating Disinformation in Virtual Reality” (FoUnD-VR) program, which aims to create a dedicated testing environment for analyzing how disinformation operates in immersive digital spaces.
As virtual, augmented and extended reality (XR) technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, they create new vulnerabilities for manipulation. Unlike traditional digital platforms where disinformation has been extensively studied, three-dimensional immersive environments engage multiple sensory inputs simultaneously, potentially making deceptive content more convincing and influential.
“FoUnD-VR addresses a field of research that is of considerable importance for the cybersecurity of the future and at the same time still exhibits significant knowledge gaps,” said Dr. Andreas Schönau, Research Officer in the Secure Society department at Cyberagentur. “The high level of interest we’ve seen from the scientific community before the call for proposals was published shows that there is not only a great need for analysis, but also a willingness to develop viable research and implementation approaches.”
The program will focus specifically on digital worlds like Metaverse, Omniverse, and Citiverse applications, where individuals, organizations, and institutions interact with one another. Researchers will investigate several emerging threats, including lifelike avatar impersonation, deepfake interactions, and subtly manipulated virtual environments designed to influence user perception and decision-making.
This initiative comes at a critical time as immersive technologies gain mainstream adoption. Market analysts have projected that the global XR industry will grow exponentially over the next decade, with applications expanding beyond entertainment into education, healthcare, business, and potentially democratic processes. This rapid growth creates an urgent need to understand potential security vulnerabilities before they can be widely exploited.
The interdisciplinary nature of the problem is central to Cyberagentur’s approach. The research will combine technical expertise with insights from psychology, sociology, and political science to develop a comprehensive understanding of how disinformation operates in immersive contexts.
A partnering event held before the call for proposals demonstrated significant interest from the scientific community, underscoring the importance of this research area. The call for proposals has been published on Germany’s e-Vergabe procurement platform under contract notice number 312 CAEU IP 2025, with a submission deadline of June 24, 2026. Research institutions, companies, and startups can participate either individually or as part of consortiums.
The Cyberagentur was established in 2020 as a wholly owned entity of the German Federal Government under the joint leadership of the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. Its mission focuses on developing innovative cybersecurity solutions that address both internal and external security challenges. The agency specializes in high-risk, high-reward projects that could potentially create significant breakthroughs in cybersecurity.
The FoUnD-VR initiative aligns with Germany’s National Security Strategy, which increasingly recognizes digital threats as central to national security concerns. The program reflects growing awareness that as digital interactions become more immersive and experiential, traditional approaches to identifying and countering disinformation may need substantial revision.
Led by Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Christian Hummert and Commercial Director Bettina Bubnys, the Cyberagentur has positioned this program as part of its forward-looking approach to identifying and addressing emerging security challenges before they become widespread threats.
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9 Comments
Kudos to the German cybersecurity agency for launching this initiative. As XR tech becomes more mainstream, the risks of disinformation and manipulation in those spaces will only grow. Proactive research to understand the challenges is a smart move.
This is an important initiative. Virtual and augmented reality are becoming ubiquitous, and we need to get ahead of the potential for misuse. Kudos to the German cybersecurity agency for taking proactive steps to understand and address disinformation in these new mediums.
Fascinating to see Germany taking the lead on combating disinformation in virtual spaces. As these emerging technologies become more integrated into daily life, the risks of manipulation and deception will only grow. A dedicated research platform to investigate this critical issue is a smart move.
I agree, the implications of immersive XR environments for disinformation are concerning. Robust research and testing will be essential to develop effective safeguards and countermeasures.
Disinformation in virtual reality is a scary prospect. I’m glad to see Germany stepping up to research this issue. Understanding how deceptive content operates in immersive environments will be key to developing effective countermeasures.
Agreed. Sensory inputs like sight, sound, and touch could make disinformation even more convincing in VR. This research program is an important first step in getting ahead of that threat.
The growth of XR tech is exciting, but you’re right, it does create new vulnerabilities for deception and manipulation. I’m glad to see Germany taking this threat seriously and investing in research to get ahead of it. Curious to learn more about the specific methodologies and use cases they plan to explore.
Good point. Understanding how disinformation operates in these dynamic, multi-sensory environments will be crucial. The findings from this research could have broad implications for securing the next generation of digital platforms and experiences.
Addressing disinformation in virtual reality is a smart and proactive step. As these technologies become more ubiquitous, the potential for abuse will only increase. It’s great to see Germany taking the lead on this critical issue.